There is now only a matter of hours left of the 2019 summer transfer window, with clubs starting the scramble to get any last minute deals over the line.

At Arsenal it is no different. Unai Emery will be pretty happy with his business so far this window, the arrivals of Gabriel Martinelli, William Saliba, Dani Ceballos and Nicolas Pepe have caused a lot of optimism among fans for the upcoming season.

However, the one defender that has been bought in so far (Saliba) has been sent back on loan to his former club Saint Etienne, leaving Emery short of defensive cover.

This is compounded by Laurent Koscielny's departure, after he refused to fly to America for the pre-season tour with the rest of the squad.

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With just over 24 hours to go until the window slams shut, the Arsenal boss will be frantically searching for defenders to add to his squad. Names such as Daniele Rugani and Dayot Upamecano have been linked as well as Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti.

So, after a long summer of speculation here's everything we know about the possibility of Umtiti arriving before the start of the season.

Umtiti used as makeweight in Lacazette deal

Reports in Barcelona-based publication Mundo Deportivo back in May claimed that Barcelona were lining up a move for Alexandre Lacazette if they didn't sign Antoine Griezmann this summer.

The La Liga champions are keen to bolster their attacking options and they were heavily linked with a move for the Atletico Madrid ace 12 months ago.

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Well, the report suggests that one or both of Andre Gomes or Umtiti would be used in a deal to drive the price down for the Arsenal ace.

Mundo Deportivo claim Lacazette is valued between €65-70million, although Arsenal fans will definitely tell you otherwise.

However, Arsenal fans can breath a sigh of relief, as Griezmann was confirmed as a Barcelona player earlier in the summer, meaning that it is very unlikely that the Catalan giants will return for Lacazette.

Emery on Umtiti

"He [Umtiti] is a good player, France has some very good players and the French market is quite attractive for many clubs," he told RMC Sport (via Marca).

"I always had French players at my clubs, Valencia, Sevilla, PSG and now, here at Arsenal. I could always count on those players."

Arsenal reportedly have their sights firmly set on Barcelona' Samuel Umtiti. (Image: (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images))

Barcelona's Umtiti stance

Amid talk of a switch to the Emirates, Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu delivered some bad news to Arsenal fans in April regarding a potential deal.

"He renewed him before the World Cup, he has four years left on his contract and there is no Umtiti issue," he told TVE (via Metro).

"Now he has to recover from his injury as we want to have him in the best form possible.

"Having Umtiti and [Clement] Lenglet on the left [side of central defence] is a guarantee and I would like him to continue."

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Unai Emery is exploring center back options, with Daniele Rugani and Dayot Upamecano said be be out of the Gunners' reach, the Spaniard will turn back to a loan deal for the Barcelona man.

Laurent Koscielny's departure to Ligue 1 club Bordeaux has left Arsenal in desperate need of defensive reinforcements before the window closes, with Umtiti becoming the most likely option.